Car-record device.



No. 734,817. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903. J. R. GAVANAGH, J. B. HANNAN & J. 1). CLARKE.-

GAR RECORD DEVICE.

APPLICATION IILBD my 23, 1902.

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1%., 734,817. PATENTED JULY 28,1903 J. R.-GAVANAGH, J. B. HANNAN & J. D. CLARKE.

OAR RECORD DEVICE.

APPLICATIONIIIJED MAY 28, 1902.

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No; 734.817. PATENTED JULY 28. 1903. J. R. GAVANAGH, J. B. HANNAH & J. D. CLARKE.

GAR RECORD DEVICE. APPLICIATION FILED MAY 28, 1902.

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.20 rapid accumulation thereof, besides .the dif- To all whom it mag concern:

, UNITED STATES i iatented Jul 28,1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH R. OAVANAGH, JOHN B. 'HANNAN, AND JOSEPH D. CLARKE, or

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

cAn-uscouo'oevlcs.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 734,817, dated July 28, 1903.

Application filed May 28, 1902.:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH R. C'AVANAGH, JOHN B. HANNAN, and JOSEPH D. CLARKE,

'Icitizens of the UnitedStates,-residing at Inof which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of devices which are particularly utilizedin connection with systems for keeping a record of the movement and location of railway-cars,

and has special reference to improved means for facilitating the keeping of a current as well as a-past record of the cars. Heretofore records of the movement and location of railway-cars have been largely kept in books, which are objectionable not only on accountof the expense involved in keeping the same, but also by reason of the ficulty in quickly and expeditiously locating the entries.

The present invention obviates all of the objections to the use of books for car-record purposes, While at the same time providing a novel construction andarrangement of parts which are not only peculiarly adapted for keeping convenient and accurate records of railway freight-cars, but which at the same time are applicable to other record systemswithout getting out of his chair; also, to make provision for filingthe separate record slips or cards as soon as the record thereon is completed. r

With these and many other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and'arrangement of parts herein- $eria11tlo. 109,401- (No model.)

after more fully described, illustrated, and

claimed.

The essential features of the invention are necessarily susceptible to some modification without departing from the spirit or scope thereof; but the preferred embodiment of the improvement is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a recordcase or filing-cabinet embodying the im provements contemplated by the present invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the case extended to its maximum length with the swinging side sections or wings in alinement with the fixed central section. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the foldable case and its support. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modificatlon, illustrating a plurality of side sections or wings upon each side of the fixed central section.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in each of the views of the drawings.

In carrying out theinvention it is essential to so construct and arrange the'record-case' as to render every part thereof accessible'to one operator, whereby the individual blocks can be readily manipulated. The preferred construction for the accomplishment of this is shown in the drawings, and referring particularly thereto the numeral 1 designates the record-case proper, and 2 its support. The support 2 for the case is preferably in the form of a fiat-top table having suitable support-legs 3, but preferably constructed at the front edge thereof with a central cut-out portion t, constituting a reentrant space for the operator, who is supposed to sit upon a revolving chair to facilitate turning from side to side, and by drawing his body well into the space or cut-out portion 4 the operator will be placed within easy working distance of all portions of the case.

The case 1' is arranged in an upright position upon the table-top and essentially comprises a central fixed section 6 and adjustable side sections 7, adapted tobe swung inward toward the central operating-space at an angle to the central fixed section or swung into alinement with the latter section to constitute a continuous straight-front case, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. A number of the adjustable side sections 7, hinged together and to the central fixed section 6, may be employed as suggested by the modification of Fig. 4 of the drawings; but in the simple and preferred aspect, as shown in the principal figures of the drawings, there is only used a single adjustable side section or wing 7 at each side of the upright fixed central section 6. The side sections or wings 7 of the case are hinged at theirinner edges, as at 9, to the opposite vertical side edges of the fixed central section 6, so as to be capable of having the swinging movement as described, and to facilitate the swinging of the side sections 7 over the table-top the said sections are preferably provided at the bottom with antifriction casters or rollers 10, arranged to travel upon segmental track-strips or guideways 11, fitted to the table-top.

With reference to the specific construction vof the case, including the several sections thereof, it is of course understood that the same is constructed solely with special reference to the individual record-blocks which are utilized in connection therewith to make a complete car-record device; but the said case is preferably divided and subdivided similarly to the record-case disclosed in our other patent, No. 692,116, dated January 28, 1902.

In its general organization each section of the case has arranged within the same a plurality of vertical partitions which subdivide the compartments of the case-section into a number of comparatively narrow vertical subcompartments adapted to receive and hold therein a pile of the individual record-blocks, and these record blocks are properly sustained in their respective subcornpartments by means of shelves 10', associated with the said partitions 12. As this specific construction and arrangement is substantially the same as embodied in the patent aforesaid, further reference thereto need not be made; but it will of course be understood that the number of the partitions and the arrangement of the shelves can be changed to suit. the requirement of the system without affecting the salient features of the invention.

Any suitable type of record-block for holding the record slips or cards may be employed in carrying out the invention; but ordinarily each individual record-block which is designed to be arranged within the compartments or subdivisions of the case essentially consists of a quadrilateral body 14, which is usually of a comparatively narrow oblong shape, so as to fit within the subcompartments or divisions of the case designed to receive the same. The'rectangular or oblong 'block 14 is designed to be so constructed as to accommodate a number of current records in the form of removable record slips 01' cards 15, which are ruled and marked in a way to provide for entering the necessary data for the purpose of indicating the movement and location of the particular car represented by the slip or card set apart for keeping such record; but the general form and use of said record slips or cards is substantially the same as set forth in our other patent. After the record slips or cards have been filled with entries it is desirable to tile them awayin such a manner as to permit easy access thereto. A preferable Way of carrying out this part of t-heiinvention is to provide the table 2 at opposite sides of the central operators space 4 with the filing-cabinets 23. Each of the filing-cabinets 23 is provided at opposite sides thereof with grooves 2-1, slidably receiving the side edges of the removable file-shelves 25, upon which the completed slips or cards may be placed, thus providing a permanent and easily-accessible past record within the reach of the operator, who is also in position for handling the current records carried by the blocks.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and many advantages of the record device will be apparent without further description, and it will be understood that changes in the form,.proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

A device of the character described, embodying in combination a supporting-table having an intermediate rentrant operators space in the front edge thereof, arcuate guideways upon the top of the table leading laterally outward in opposite directions from the opposite sides of the operators space and bowed rearwardly, and a record-case consisting of a central stationary section supported upon the back portion of the top of the table between the rear ends of the guideways, and swinging sections hinged to opposite ends of the stationary section and provided with supporting members traveling upon the respective guideways.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH R. GAVANAGH. JOHN B. HANNAN.

JOSEPH D. CLARKE.

Witnesses:

ANNA E. GOGGIN, LAURA O. INGERSOLL.

ICS 

